Auto Electronics: bad door switch, jeep grand cherokee, rear tailgate

Question
I have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with a v-8 engine, I had problems with my interior courtesy lights coming on during heavy rains witch drained my battery several times. I found that the rear tailgate switch can hold water and fail and I disconnected it I also was told the door switches could go bad. I have had no problems for 3 months but while I was away this weekend there was a big storm, 2" in one day and today I found my battery completely dead. I charged the battery and found that all the doors locked and unlock except for the rear passengers door witch is not effected by the drivers door controls at all. I figure this is the bad door switch and I have no money for a new $380 switch. My question to you is, can the bad switch be disconnected as I never use that door at all. Any advise would be greatly appreciated as my wife and I have both been laid off and putting money into the car is the last thing we need right now. Thank you very much.

Answer
Tom, I wish I had a simple answer for you. If you just disconnect the door module which includes the switch, it might cause problems with other body control functions. Of course you could try it and see what happens, it may just light a warning lamp in the dash. Obviously water intrusion is the main culprit here and you would be best served by fixing that first. Modules, switches and connectors that are subject to water will eventually fail and lead to the type problems that you are experiencing. You may already be to the point where the body control module has failed and is causing a drain on the battery. If the windshield has ever been replaced it would be my prime suspect for water leakage that finds its way into the BCM. Use a hose to apply water to the windshield while observing under left side of the dash for evidence of leakage. If not there, check the other doors and windows in the same manner, seal the leak once found. I hope this helps you. Don.